Brand · Lingerie line est. 1990

Elle Macpherson

The supermodel who turned 'The Body' into a brand — and rewrote how a name licenses fashion.

Elle Macpherson
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Launched in 1990 in partnership with Bendon, Elle Macpherson Intimates became the single best-selling lingerie line in both Great Britain and Australia — one of the first true crossovers between a model and a fashion label.

The model Time crowned 'The Body' in 1989 didn't just front the line; she helped shape it. Macpherson took on the roles of chief marketing officer and later creative director, and in 2010 expanded the range with the Obsidian sub-brand and a signature maternity bra. The label has carried high recognition into the 2000s, with a decade of stocking at Selfridges.

Her name became a portfolio. Beyond Intimates came 'Elle Macpherson — The Body' beauty products, and in 2014 she co-founded the wellness brand WelleCo, whose Super Elixir supplement sells through retailers including Selfridges and Net-A-Porter.

Elle Macpherson shopping FAQ

Is Elle Macpherson Intimates worth it?+

Elle Macpherson Intimates earned its reputation as the single best-selling lingerie line in both Great Britain and Australia, which is a strong vote of confidence in its appeal. The line was built around design and femininity rather than basics, so it suits shoppers who want lingerie that feels considered. As with any premium label, fit matters, so it pays to confirm sizing before committing.

Who is the woman behind Elle Macpherson the brand?+

The brand is the work of Elle Macpherson, the Australian model and businesswoman nicknamed "The Body" after Time magazine coined the phrase in 1989. Famous for a record five Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers, she turned that profile into a string of ventures she founded and shaped herself. Her name is not just a label; she was the creative force across the lines.

What is the story behind Elle Macpherson Intimates?+

Macpherson launched Elle Macpherson Intimates in 1990 in partnership with Bendon Limited Apparel. The arrangement was unusual for its time: rather than simply promoting someone else's lingerie, she suggested a licensing deal with products bearing her name and designs created with Bendon's team. It became one of the first true crossovers between a model and a fashion label, and she served as chief marketing officer and later creative director.

Why was Elle Macpherson called The Body?+

The nickname came from Time magazine, which bestowed "The Body" on Macpherson in 1989 after she appeared on its cover. The name stuck so completely that she went on to use it across several business ventures, including a line of skin care products called The Body. It became shorthand for the whole brand world she built.

What is the WelleCo Super Elixir?+

In 2014, Macpherson co-founded the wellness company WelleCo and released its flagship product, an alkalising wellness supplement called The Super Elixir. It marked her move from lingerie and skin care into the wellness space. The supplement has been sold at retailers including Selfridges in London and the premium online retailer Net-A-Porter.

Where can I buy Elle Macpherson's WelleCo products?+

WelleCo's flagship Super Elixir has been carried at well-regarded retailers, including Selfridges in London and the premium online shop Net-A-Porter. Buying through established stockists like these is the surest way to get the genuine product. The line has also picked up high-profile fans, with Kate Moss among them.

What other lines has Elle Macpherson created?+

Beyond lingerie, she developed a skin care line called The Body and, in 2014, co-founded the wellness brand WelleCo. She also expanded the Intimates range itself, launching Obsidian as a sub-brand in January 2010 and spearheading a signature maternity bra line. Her ventures consistently grew out of her own "The Body" identity.

How did Elle Macpherson get into business?+

She moved deliberately from modelling into ownership. In 1994 she left her agency to form her own company, Elle Macpherson Inc., as the financial base for her later ventures, having already launched her Intimates line in 1990. Her business acumen was widely recognised, including being named Glamour Magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005.

Is Elle Macpherson Australian?+

Yes. She was born Eleanor Nancy Gow in Killara, New South Wales, in 1964, and grew up on Sydney's North Shore. That Australian identity ran through her ventures: Elle Macpherson Intimates became the best-selling lingerie line in Australia as well as Great Britain. She remains one of the country's most recognisable figures.

Has Elle Macpherson's wellness brand had celebrity fans?+

It has. WelleCo's Super Elixir, the alkalising supplement she released in 2014, counts Kate Moss among its celebrity fans according to its public profile. That kind of following helped the wellness line stand out in a crowded category, building on the recognition Macpherson had already established with her earlier brands.